Senior Sustainability Specialist, Waste Reduction

County of San Mateo, Office of Sustainability Published: June 2, 2022
Location
California
Skill Level
Senior Level, Mid Level
Job Type
Full-time
Categories
Climate Change / Corporate Sustainability / Certification / Program Management / Project Management / Recycling/Composting

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Description

Are you passionate about advancing sustainability and waste reduction solutions? Do you want to contribute to a team of enthusiastic professionals and be part of the changing ways in which local governments can develop and implement programs to address these issues and serve the San Mateo County community?

Position Overview

The County of San Mateo's Office of Sustainability (OOS) is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Senior Sustainability Specialist - Waste Reduction. We want "sustainability champions" with experience working directly with people from diverse racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds. We are looking for candidates with excellent project management and communication skills to lead initiatives and help our employees, community partners, and community members take meaningful actions on sustainability. We are committed to building a diverse staff and strongly encourage candidates from varied backgrounds to apply.

The IDEAL CANDIDATE will:

  • Have an extensive background in the areas of solid waste management, recycling and composting, source reduction, and public policy.
  • Have experience leading diverse project teams and managing high-profile, complex programs and projects.
  • Have worked effectively with people from diverse racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds. 
  • Possess strong organizational, time management, and project management skills, with the ability to lead multiple projects at different stages simultaneously.
  • Have a strong commitment to public service and serving the local community. 
  • Have initiative, drive, and follow through to ensure all necessary tasks are completed on time with little supervision.
  • Have strong communications and writing skills.
  • Be able to incorporate the perspectives of multiple communities, including communities of color, in the consideration of impacts and outcomes of a project or initiative. 
  • Be able to incorporate an understanding of institutional and structural racism and bias and their impact on underserved and underrepresented communities to improve project design and implementation.
  • Be able to speak effectively, make public presentations, conduct outreach, training and/or public education as necessary to a variety of different audiences.
  • Be comfortable in a fast-paced, people-focused environment. 

Job Duties

1.) Reporting to the Waste Reduction Program Manager, as the Senior Sustainability Specialist, you will be responsible for leading a team to support the County’s compliance with various requirements of California Senate Bill 1383 (SB 1383). You will play a pivotal role in shaping, implementing, and guiding the County in its goal to reduce avoidable waste, spark innovation, create synergies, and bring the community together. Your work will focus on two main areas: edible food recovery and procurement of recycled organic materials (e.g., paper products, compost, mulch).

2.) Edible Food Recovery (EFR) Program: The County has partnered with all of the cities and eligible special districts in San Mateo County to design and implement one countywide edible food recovery program to comply with the requirements of SB 1383. The OOS has taken on the role of managing and implementing this program on behalf of all those participating. Since its beginning in 2020, this program has recovered and redistributed over 10.5 million pounds of edible food to residents throughout the county, supplying important supplemental food during the COVID-19 pandemic.

3.) Recycled Organic Product Procurement Program: One of the requirements of SB 1383 is that all jurisdictions, including the County, will need to procure a certain amount of recycled organic products (e.g., compost, mulch, renewable natural gas). The County is currently leading a coordinated effort with the San Mateo Resource Conservation District (RCD) and many other cities in the county to comply with this requirement. Additionally, another requirement is that the County will need to adopt and implement internal policies that require all departments to adhere to specific procurement requirements around paper products, compost, and mulch. 

Qualifications

Knowledge of:
 
  • Basic supervisory principles and practices.
  • Resource conservation management, including its scientific background, technology, principles, methods, research techniques and problems.
  • Pertinent laws, regulations and codes governing resource conservation.
  • Principles and practices of contract management.
  • Government agencies, community organizations and other stakeholders as they relate to resource conservation.
  • Principles, practices and trends in multiple areas of resource conservation.
  • Technical information in multiple areas such as climate adaptation, including sea level rise, fire, heat island, and other risks, and climate action planning, including emission inventories, forecasting and emission targets, measure development, and stakeholder engagement for adaptation risk and climate planning initiatives.

Skill/Ability to:

  • Provide leadership and promote teamwork.
  • Plan, assign, direct and review the work of others.
  • Train others in departmental and program specific policies and procedures.
  • Plan, direct and coordinate resource conservation and sustainability programs, its staff and activities.
  • Interpret laws, regulations and data.
  • Define difficult problem areas, research and analyze complex data and make valid alternatives and recommendations.
  • Plan, implement, coordinate and evaluate multiple complex functions and assignments.
  • Serve as subject matter expert in multiple areas of resource conservation.
  • Track and monitor compliance with pertinent mandates, laws, codes, rules, regulations and agreements.
  • Serve as representative on various boards, committees and community groups.
  • Speak effectively and make public presentations, conduct outreach, training and/or public education as necessary.
  • Prepare comprehensive reports, letters and other written materials.
  • Establish and maintain effective working relations with variety of individuals at all levels including those from government, business, private and non-profit agencies, community groups and the public.
  • Integrate race and social justice considerations into work duties.

Education and Experience:

  • Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to qualify is three years of program coordination experience in the field of sustainability and/or resource conservation.

Compensation & Benefits

  • $8,715.20 - $10,897.47 Monthly
  • A competitive benefits package is associated with this position. For complete information regarding benefits please click here.

We know work isn't only about what you do; it’s also about who you work for and with! The OOS has a fun and supportive work environment that supports a work-life balance, including:

  • Flexible, hybrid work schedule opportunities 
  • Wellness classes and resources to promote a healthy mind and body
  • Generous benefits package
  • Subsidy of up to $150 per month to cover the costs of public transit, vanpooling, carpooling, and bike and scooter share, or up to $480 per year for walking, biking, or carpooling to work 
  • At least 20 hours of training provided annually 

Note: This recruitment may also be used to fill future vacancies, so those interested in the Senior Sustainability Specialist position in one or any of the other working group(s) are encouraged to apply in this recruitment.

FINAL FILING DATE:  June 16, 2022

To Apply

To learn more about the position and to apply online, please click "Apply on Company Website" below.  

Applications are only accepted online. The following are required to be submitted:

  • regular online employment application form;
  • cover letter expressing interest in the position; and
  • resume.

Note: Responses to the supplemental questions must be submitted in addition to our regular employment application form, a resume, and a cover letter. A resume will not be accepted as a substitute for the required employment application and supplemental questionnaire.

EOE  

When you apply for this position, please say you saw this job on Green Dream Jobs!!

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